As the city's longest running homeless shelter operator, We Care Program Turlock will soon be able to offer four newly-renovated apartment units for low-income families looking for a long-term and affordable housing solution.

The Turlock Police Department welcomed their newest employees as Officers Alex Jimenez, Jonathan Yerzy, and Marco Diaz were greeted by Turlock Police Chief Rob Jackson at a reception on Monday. The three officers completed a 20-week program from the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Regional Training Division that focused on active scenario training. The three officers were sworn in on Friday and were among 21 graduates to complete the program, which had been a causality of the recession and closed in 2010.

Officials issued a consumer alert Thursday that some businesses, in particular hotels, in the state are price gouging during the wildfires and California's Attorney General Kamala D. Harris warned violators would be prosecuted.

Although the Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival will once again assume its original name-after being called the Hughson Harvest Festival for the past four years-its underlying purpose will remain the same.

As evacuations continue throughout neighboring foothill communities affected by the Butte Fire, local residents and organizations are coming together to provide support through donations to relief agencies and by providing much-needed supplies for displaced fire victims.

A battalion chief has joined his colleagues with the Turlock Fire Department, as well as those from the Turlock Rural Fire Department and officers from the Turlock Police Department in the ongoing battle against the wildfires raging in California.

State Climatologist Michael Anderson issued the following statement on potential El Niño conditions: "California cannot count on potential El Niño conditions to halt or reverse drought conditions. Historical weather data shows us that at best, there is a 50/50 chance of having a wetter winter. Unfortunately, due to shifting climate patterns, we cannot even be that sure."